Tablet production module and method for continuous production of tablets

Abstract

A method for continuous production of tablets, including providing a contained module comprising at least two inlets, at least one mixing unit, at least one analytical sensor, a tablet press, and at least one outlet for tablets, feeding an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to one of the at least two inlets, feeding an excipient to the other of the at least two inlets, mixing the material stream comprising the API and the excipient in the at least one mixing unit, measuring parameters of the contents of the material stream with the at least one analytical sensor upstream of the tablet press, controlling the two inlets and/or the mixing unit in response to the parameters measured, continuously supplying the tablet press with the material stream, controlling the speed of the tablet press in response to the parameters measured upstream of the tablet press, and discharging tablets at the at least one outlet.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for continuous production of tablets, including the following steps:
 providing a contained module comprising at least two inlets, at least one mixing unit, at least one analytical sensor, a tablet press, and at least one outlet for tablets; 
 feeding an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) to one of said at least two inlets; 
 feeding an excipient to the other of said at least two inlets; 
 mixing the material stream comprising the API and the excipient in said at least one mixing unit; 
 measuring parameters of the contents of the material stream with said at least one analytical sensor upstream of the tablet press; 
 controlling said two inlets and/or said mixing unit in response to the parameters measured; 
 continuously supplying the tablet press with the material stream; 
 controlling the speed of the tablet press in response to the parameters measured upstream of the tablet press, and 
 discharging tablets at said at least one outlet. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , whereby a further mixing step is carried out, in which a further excipient is fed into the existing material stream. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , whereby a drying step is carried out before supplying the material stream to the tablet press. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , whereby contents or properties of the tablets are measured by at least one analytical sensor downstream of the tablet press.